No time to rest for New York Mets' David Wright

ATLANTA -- Forget about David Wright taking a day off. That's not a realistic option.

That strategy has worked in the past to get the third baseman back on track, but with the Mets in a pennant race there just isn't an opportunity. But interim manager Jerry Manuel feels he has discovered the source of Wright's slump, which Wright broke out of with a few timely at-bats in the 9-5 victory over Atlanta Friday night.

Wright finished 2-for-5 and picked up two RBI. In doing so, he reached 116 for the season, which ties his career high. He had struggled in the first four games of the road trip, where he finished 1-for-18 with seven strikeouts.

"His is not so much of a mental thing, as it is so much mechanical and fundamental things that he has in his swings," Manuel said.

What typically triggers a slump for Wright, in Manuel's eyes, is a long, looping swing. Wright has been working almost daily with hitting coach Howard Johnson, looking for the form that allowed him to hammer opposing pitchers during the last five games of the most recent homestand. Wright went 12-for-19 (.632) with four homers and nine RBI.

The pressure of playing in meaningful games this late in the season could also be a factor. Manuel has noticed Wright expanding the strike zone in recent games as he tries to dig out of his slump.

"Now there is frustration setting in, and you have to do more than you can do, and then you get outside of the strike zone and then all of a sudden you're in this big slump," Manuel said. "And you have to battle your way out of it. I think it's all mechanics for him."

Even with one of his best players locked in a slide, Manuel wasn't worried. He said Wright is too talented a hitter to allow this to fester.

Three days off were apparently enough for Luis Castillo, who was back in the starting lineup last night. The second baseman has been dealing with hip and leg injuries that have plagued him all season. And with Damion Easley out and Argenis Reyes ineffective, look for Castillo to receive regular playing time down the stretch.

"I would hope that he would take this challenge and run with it," Manuel said. "We probably need that experience in there as well, if we feel like he's healthy and able to do this, it would be a big boost for us."

Reyes started the previous three games in Washington, and cemented the notion the Mets needed a more offensive player at the position. Reyes does not have a hit in his past 24 at-bats, though Manuel noted a few unlucky situations were great defense erased a potential hit.

One thing Manuel will have to guard against is Castillo's health, which tends to break down when he's put through a string of consecutive games.

"All those things factor in it," Manuel said. "You got to continue to try and put what you feel is the best team out there."

The Mets' Triple-A affiliate has a new home. Several news outlets in Western New York reported that the Mets have selected Buffalo to be the latest destination for their top minor-league club. The team is expected to announce the decision on Monday.

Buffalo has been an affiliate for the Cleveland Indians since 1995, but the American League team departed for a new home in Columbus, Ohio. The Mets have only used New Orleans (2007-08) and Norfolk, Va., (1969-2006) as sites for their Triple-A team. Syracuse was listed as another option.